It’s very important to have a tornado preparedness checklist because it’s easy to believe that calamities will strike all over the world, and you may assume they won’t affect you. In uncertain times, there is one beneficial action you may take: create a preparedness checklist. After all, the United States has more tornadoes than any other nation on Earth.
In this article, you’ll learn how to prepare for a tornado and go back to normalcy. You’ll discover which preparedness behaviors are most essential so that you’re ready to face natural calamities and other unanticipated events.
Tornado Preparedness Checklist: Before the Tornado
Having a strategy in place for the unlikely event of a natural calamity may help you and your family avoid injury. Tornadoes are certain in many areas of the United States, so it’s best to get prepared before an emergency strikes.
A tornado may form in as little as a few minutes, and advanced warning is often impossible. You can protect your property, business, and family by preparing them now. Explore how to prepare for the future right now.
1. Make A Public Announcement.
The first and foremost important part of the tornado preparedness checklist, it’s critical to have a weather emergency action plan in place with your family, friends, and neighbors if there is one. During tornado watches, everyone is on the same side. When there are tornado watches in your region, it’s possible that your family may not be together. It is critical to pick a meeting location. Designating a single number to call or text is an easy method to keep your family informed. In the case of service disruptions, reporting to an out-of-state relative may be easier.
If it’s not possible to meet following a disaster, having a community strategy is an excellent option. Make plans for your town’s warning system and establish a shelter plan. You may even want to raise money to construct a safe room. After the storm, organize a cleanup in the neighborhood.
2. Create a safe room in your house or company for bad weather situations.
According to the tornado preparedness checklist, the most efficient approach to protect yourself from a tornado is to construct a storm shelter for your home or company. The occupants of a secure room have an extremely small risk of injury or death from a tornado, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
You’ll need to think about your risk, money, and available area before deciding to create a safe place. The occurrence and intensity of tornadoes vary by state. The Great Plains is the typical site of tornadoes, although some occur in the Midwest. When constructing a shelter, you should think about your wind zone. A safe room is a FEMA-recommended option for protection against wind damage in states where it is likely.
It might be difficult to construct a portion of your home or company to withstand damage. You’ll need to fulfill FEMA’s design and construction criteria. You have the option of constructing a safe room during the initial phase of building your house or business or adding one afterward. If your area or community uses the safe space, there are additional restrictions for spaces designed to house more than 16 people.
Finally, you’ll need to think about waste removal options for your construction debris. Make sure to work with a professional dumpster rental company before beginning. A business that provides both building and household services will dispose of your trash safely.
3. Make a storm emergency plan
When the weather changes, all of your family members may not be at home. It’s critical to have a strategy in place among the tornado preparedness checklist so that your loved ones know what to expect and when to expect it. During a community or family meeting, you may develop the strategy. Make sure to include escape routes in your strategy. Each household member should know how to get to the secure location or the safest room in your home using only the most direct route.
Workplace tornado drill checklists for businesses are just as necessary as school-based tornado drills. Creating an emergency plan is essential, much like with school-based tornado drills. A thorough strategy may help you keep your business open after the storm has passed. Developing an employee training plan and practicing storm drills are two methods to keep your employees optimistic in the event of an emergency.
4. Make sure you have enough food and an emergency kit
Now that you’ve arranged a meeting place and established an emergency plan, it’s time to put together an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours. An emergency kit is necessary for any weather calamity that may require you to hunker down at home or work.
Food and water are critical items to keep in case of a tornado. A gallon of drinking water per person per day is advised by the U.S. government. Also, get extra non-perishable foodstuffs:
- You’ll need a dehydrator if you want to dry meats like jerky or cans of salmon or tuna.
- Nuts, seeds, and any type of butter (almond, cashew, peanut)
- To make bread, first combine flour, yeast, and egg powder.
- Beans, rice, quinoa, and oats (note: these products are long-lasting but can’t be cooked without heat)
- Dehydrated foods that don’t need to be rehydrated
Make sure you have a plan for what will happen if you run out of food and water. Make copies of your company’s bank records, taxes, and insurance policies available in a safe place. In another secure location, keep your private papers such as social security cards, passports, and other identification.
Maintain a record of business contacts for cleanup after the storm. After the storm has passed, waste removal will be an important step in resuming your home life or business.
Tornado Preparedness Checklist: During the Storm
1. Seek shelter
As soon as you hear tornado sirens and see the warning signs, go to a safe spot in an interior room. The shelter can come in many forms. The best places for shelter are the basement, storm cellar, or places in your home that are away from windows.
If you reside in a mobile house, finding cover may be more difficult. Seek refuge near a nearby tornado shelter and lie down on the floor. If you can’t get inside, lie as flat as possible against the ground and keep your distance from power lines outside.
2. Protect your head
The drill and information we acquired in grad school about tornadoes were very helpful during hail storms and tornado warning signs. We would have to go in the hallway, basement, or another safe area, crouch on the floor against the wall, and put our arms over our heads. This will help protect you from falling debris and glass when the gales are fierce.
If you do suffer a head injury, utilize your first aid kit until you can get professional help.
Tornado Preparedness Checklist: Cleanup
FEMA states that about 75% of firms that do not have a continuity plan will fail in three years after a natural disaster. To preserve your company, evaluate the structural hazards of your property before it happens and be prepared to handle them immediately following the event. Homeowners should be prepared to clean up any tornado debris on their premises. Begin by following these four steps:
1. Professional services can assist you with this
Customers inundate restorative firms following a twister. Make sure you contact a remediation business as soon as possible so that a professional can examine the damage. As your neighborhood begins to clear storm debris, the need for large dumpsters will grow.
A permit is required to put the big garbage container on a street or other public property as a business owner. Local rules can be confusing, but an expert may assist you in navigating them so that cleanup may begin promptly.
If you require emergency assistance after a tornado, contact the American Red Cross in your region. They’ll also provide you with more information on what to do if a storm strikes.
2. Make An Educated Decision Based On Your Knowledge Of The Situation.
There are numerous sorts of accidents that can happen during a tornado. With sufficient planning, many of these disasters might be prevented. The following are some of the most prevalent issues:
Roof damage
Tornadoes have been known to reach a speed of up to 300 miles per hour as they approach the ground. Water leaks or complete removal by the wind may damage your roof somewhat.
Building destruction
You should also check to make sure that all of the windows and doors are closed and in their proper places. The glass in your windows or doors may have been damaged or removed. It’s typical for windows to crack or break following a tornado.
Electrical problems
Tornadoes can also cause unseen damage. Electrical, lightning, and antenna damage may be identified by a professional engineer.
3. Keep a basic first-aid kit on hand
After a tornado, there are several dangers to be aware of. Floodwater may be deep, and dead animals can cause serious health concerns. Keep a first-aid kit on hand for your family members or workers to use if they get cuts or injuries.
4. Keep Your Wits About You
An NOAA weather radio provides national weather updates and vital information. It’s a unique gadget that will alert you to warnings or watches in your area, as well as help you prepare for additional calamities.
Keep up with the most recent news on social media and see what’s going on in the neighborhood.
